Fiqh of Fasting: Permissible to break fast for a pregnant or nursing woman

7. Permissible for a pregnant or nursing (breast feeding) woman
It is permissible for a pregnant or breast-feeding woman to break her fast in Ramadaan. If the pregnant woman is worried that her own health is at risk or the health of the fetus/child then she can choose not to fast or break her fast. But she has to repay it. As for repaying it there is quite a bit of difference of opinion and controversy regarding this matter. The opinions can be divided into three:

1 – That they have to make up the fasts only whether it was for their own health or the child/fetus’s. View of Imaam Aboo Haneefah and among the Sahaaba, Ali Ibn Abee Taalib.

2 – If they fear for their own health, then they have to make up the fast only, and if they fear for their fetus then they have to make up the fasts and feed one poor person for each day they missed a fast. View of Imaam ash-Shaafa’i and Imaam Ahmad and among the Sahaaba, Ibn ‘Umar.

3 – They only have to feed the poor and not make up any fasts. Among the Sahaabah, this was the view of ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Abbaas. Also another opinion of Ibn Umar according to Ibn Qudaamah in al-Mughni (3/37).

Anas ibn Maalik said that the Messenger of Allaah (sall Allâhu’ alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allaah has relieved the traveler of fasting and half of prayer, and He has relieved the pregnant and breastfeeding woman of fasting.” The report found in Sunan al-Nasaa’i (2274); Classed as saheeh by Imaam al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Nasaa’i. The Prophet (sall Allâhu’ alayhi wa sallam) stated that the ruling on pregnant and breastfeeding women is like the ruling on the traveler. The traveler may not fast and has to make it up later, and this also applies to pregnant and breastfeeding women. One may prefer any of these rulings and the methodology is to research the matter properly and choose an opinion based on proofs that one feels are strong.

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3 Responses to “Fiqh of Fasting: Permissible to break fast for a pregnant or nursing woman”

i want to ask that if a pregnant woman keeps her fast after the baby is born but it takes time for her to keep the missed fast and unfortunately she dies before keeping her missed fast than what is the ruling in islam.

I hope everythign is fine with you inshaAllah. Sorry for the late response.

Firstly, May Allah forgive the deceased muslim sister for her sins, and grant her paradise. Ameen

to your question, I asked 2 brother who have studied Islam and graduated form islamic universities about this and they both said there are different opinions amongst scholars, but the most proper ruling seems to be that she is forgiven. Because she did not have control over when she was goign to die, as only Allah’s Will determines this. Islam doesnt hold responsible people for that which they have no control over.

Chapter 4: Repayment1.Missing a day of fast in Ramadhan2.When does one make up a missed fast3.If missed fast are not made up until few dats before next Ramadhan4.Missed fasts first or voluntary?

Chapter 5: Recommended, Disliked, and Impermissible Days of Fasting1.Recommended Every Other Day Sawn Dawood2.The three white days of every Islamic month3.Six days of Shawwaal4.Month of Muharram and the 10th5.Ten days of Dhil Hijja and that of Arafat6.Disliking of the month of Rajab7.Disliking of the day of Friday8.Disliking of the 30th of Shabaan9.Impermissibility of fasting on the two Eids10.Completing of a voluntary fast is not Wajib